Ah, sleep.
We all do it. We all need it. It’s known to make us feel better, improve our memory, Verified Source National Sleep Foundation Nonprofit focused on educating about sleep health. View source lower stress, Verified Source American Psychological Association (APA) Collaborative organization for psychologists across the country. View source and even help us lose weight. Too little of it can put us at risk for heart disease and stroke. Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source Too much of it can leave us sluggish and anxious.
Sleep is so vital to our lives, but do Americans get enough of it? Which states have the most tired residents? Are there really cities that never sleep? And when does the typical American hit the sack?
To find out the answers to these questions and more, we analyzed 92,933 Instagram posts using the hashtags #goodnight and #tired. Here’s what we learned.
The Sleepiest States in the Nation
When we tallied Instagram posts that included the hashtag #tired, we discovered that some states were a lot more well-rested than others (or at least complained less about feeling tired).
The most #tired states in the U.S.? Though not a state, D.C. (31.8 posts per 100,000 residents) – with its crazy political climate and readily available nightlife – took the lead. Hawaii and Nevada also posted an above average number of #tired photos (more than 25 posts per 100,000 residents).
On the other end of the spectrum, Iowa (2.5), Arkansas (2.6), and Delaware (2.6) posted the least amount of Instagram pictures with the hashtag #tired. Instagrammers in these states must be getting to bed on time (or they’re not talking about how tired they really are).
THE SLEEPIEST cities IN THE NATION
When we further segmented the data by city, La Jolla, California, residents took the lead for the latest bedtime (12:34 a.m.). Manassas, Virginia, Spring, Texas, Paradise, Nevada, and Corona, New York, weren’t far behind either – residents of these states all had bedtimes well past midnight.
Meanwhile, residents of Richmond, Virginia, Pleasanton, California, Fort Worth, Texas, National City, California, and Haleiwa, Hawaii, all went to bed before 9 p.m. – good news since medical experts say turning in after midnight may be bad for your health.
Who Heads to Bed the Latest?
Which states hit the hay early, and which are staying up all night? Based on Instagram posts using the hashtag #goodnight, the states with the latest bedtimes were North Dakota (12:17 a.m.), Georgia (11:36 p.m.), and Nevada (11:34 p.m.), the last of which is also one of our leading #tired states.
Additionally, Idaho, Nebraska, and Maine were the early birds of the bunch, with bedtimes of 9:59 p.m., 10 p.m., and 10:11 p.m., respectively.
When We’re Tired and When We Actually Turn In
Tally up all mentions of #goodnight and #tired on Instagram, and you’ll find the most #tired time of day is around 9 p.m., while the most common time for bidding online friends #goodnight is closer to 10 p.m.
And with a substantial number of #tired posts picking up around lunchtime and stretching through the afternoon, there are probably at least a few Instagrammers pulling all-nighters. (Though all that afternoon sleepiness could also just be our bodies’ natural sleep cycles telling us it’s time for a break.)
America’s Sleepiest Months of the Year
We know who’s staying up latest and reporting tiredness throughout the day, but overall, what’s America’s bedtime? What time do we call it a night, sign off Instagram, and hit the pillow?
The months when Instagrammers report tiredness more often are May, June, and April. The average bedtimes during those months? 10:14 p.m., 9:58 p.m., and 10:41 p.m. respectively.
September, with an average bedtime of 1:11 a.m., and August, with a 4:30 a.m. bedtime, aren’t among the months with the most #tired mentions – possibly because those sleepless Instagrammers are too tired to even mention how tired they are.
AMERICA’S SLEEPIEST weekdays
According to the National Sleep Foundation, Verified Source National Sleep Foundation Nonprofit focused on educating about sleep health. View source 45 percent of Americans reported that poor sleep affected their day-to-day lives at least once in the past seven days.
What’s causing this sleep deprivation across the nation? Is it our eating habits, not going to bed at the same time every night, too much caffeine, high-stress lifestyles, a lumpy mattress, or just a desire to stay up and not miss out? All of these things probably play a part in our super sleepy culture. Even the day of the week may be a factor.
The Things That Leave Us #Tired
What inspires exhaustion on Instagram? When are we most likely to report feeling #tired?
As it turns out, the answer is when we’re talking about love. We’re about three times more likely to report feeling #tired or to say #goodnight in a post with the word “love” in it.
Life is another one that wears us out, followed by fitness, dogs, cats, and friends.
#Goodnight, Friends
Tired yet? Ready for a good night’s sleep? Us too. Before we sign off with a hearty, love-filled #goodnight, here’s a reminder: Getting good sleep matters. Turn off your screens at least an hour before bed, get into a consistent sleep schedule, skip the afternoon caffeine fix, and get yourself a really comfortable mattress from Amerisleep.com. Your body and mind will thank you later..
Methodology
We analyzed 92,933 Instagram posts with #tired and #goodnight hashtags and excluded duplicates and irrelevant posts.
sources
- https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2013/sleep Verified Source American Psychological Association (APA) Collaborative organization for psychologists across the country. View source
- http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20090515/lose-weight-with-a-good-nights-sleep
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/06/050629070337.htm
- https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/sleep-deprivation-and-deficiency Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source
- http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/physical-side-effects-oversleeping#1
- https://www.sleepfoundation.org/press-release/lack-sleep-affecting-americans-finds-national-sleep-foundation Verified Source National Sleep Foundation Nonprofit focused on educating about sleep health. View source
- http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/food-sabotage-sleep#1
- http://www.medicaldaily.com/7-health-consequences-going-bed-past-midnight-247247
- http://elitedaily.com/life/230-feeling-science-explains-get-fcking-tired-midday/933380
Fair use
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About the author
McKenzie Hyde is a Certified Sleep Science Coach and a full-time writer specializing in sleep health and the mattress industry. With a Master of Arts degree in literature and writing from Utah State University, McKenzie combines her passion for writing with her in-depth knowledge of sleep science. Her articles cover a wide range of topics, including best sleep practices for students, the consequences of sleep deprivation, and choosing the right mattress for back pain relief. McKenzie's dedication to delivering accurate and informative content makes her a valuable contributor to the field of sleep health.
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